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Egypt is a rich melange of colour. Begin your journey riding camel-back into the editorial dunes of the White Desert. Then head to the marina to snorkel the Red Sea’s coral-rich ecosystem. Finally, take to the verdant Nile Delta, where most of the country’s ancient wonders are only a stone’s throw from its banks.
Egypt is a largely conservative country. Caution should be practiced at all times, and all public displays of affection should be avoided for the safety of yourself and your group. While large international hotels in tourist areas like Cairo won’t likely raise an eyebrow to same-sex couples, we advise travellers to avoid budget hotels and/or reserve two beds. Further, gay dating apps should be avoided as local authorities have historically targeted gay men through them. Finally, while lesbianism is largely misunderstood and ignored in Egypt, female travellers should be cautious about PDAs as well.
Gay Activity: Illegal
Lesbian Activity: Illegal
Gay Marriage: Not recognized
Right to Change Gender: Legal, surgery not required
Same-Sex Adoption: Single only
LGBT Discrimination: No protections
A small, underground gay scene exists in Cairo and Alexandria. However, it is entirely geared toward locals. We do not advise LGBT visitors to attempt to participate in the gay scene.
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This beautiful city is the gateway to the country’s highest concentration of ruins, tombs, monuments and obelisks.
The coral-rich Red Sea is a stunning jungle of colourful fish and aquatic plants. Wrecks make for exciting dive points, but there’s plenty to see with just a mask and snorkel.
The country’s capital is layered in history. When you’re feeling ambitious, battle through the often hectic souks. For a quieter respite, spend an afternoon appreciating the city’s spiritual mosques.
The Pyramids of Giza are the only remaining structures from the original list of World Wonders. And while their silhouette against the desert landscape is a cliche, you will never fully appreciate their size and mystery until you are dwarfed below them.
In our opinion, the best way to appreciate Egypt is from the fertile Nile River. Historically, the river has been the life force of the entire nation and all major cities and ancient civilizations were built on its banks. Besides being the perfect entranceway to the country’s most popular sites, it is also a naturally gorgeous ecosystem that showcases the country at its most photogenic.
Best Time to Visit: October & February bookend both the country’s winter and ‘high season.’ While the occasional dust storm may delay some flights, the weather is reasonable, and the crowds are bearable.
Electricity: In Egypt, the power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more information, visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/egypt/.
Time Zone: (GMT+2) Eastern European Standard Time
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Other Vaccinations: Based on entry requirements, only travellers coming from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever may be required to show proof of vaccination. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: Most travellers require a visa to enter Egypt. Please visit the Arab Republic of Egypt’s website here for more information on how to obtain a single-entry 30-day visa. As of September, 2023, Canadian passport holders are not eligible for visa on arrival and MUST apply for a visa in advance. This means Canadian travellers will not be able to board their flight to Egypt without securing the visa in advance. Please note that while in the past there have been reports of travellers being barred entry to Egypt for having Israeli stamps in their passport, this is not listed as an official disqualification for entry by the Egyptian government. If you are travelling to Israel before or after this tour, we recommend requesting that immigration does not stamp your passport. Travellers are responsible for their visas and ensuring they meet entry requirements into the country.
LGBT Rights in Egypt
Egypt is a largely conservative country. Caution should be practiced at all times, and all public displays of affection should be avoided for the safety of yourself and your group. While large international hotels in tourist areas like Cairo won’t likely raise an eyebrow to same-sex couples, we advise travellers to avoid budget hotels and/or reserve two beds. Further, gay dating apps should be avoided as local authorities have historically targeted gay men through them. Finally, while lesbianism is largely misunderstood and ignored in Egypt, female travellers should be cautious about PDAs as well.
Gay Activity: Illegal
Lesbian Activity: Illegal
Gay Marriage: Not recognized
Right to Change Gender: Legal, surgery not required
Same-Sex Adoption: Single only
LGBT Discrimination: No protections
Gay Egypt Travel
A small, underground gay scene exists in Cairo and Alexandria. However, it is entirely geared toward locals. We do not advise LGBT visitors to attempt to participate in the gay scene.
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Best Places to Visit in Egypt
This beautiful city is the gateway to the country’s highest concentration of ruins, tombs, monuments and obelisks.
The coral-rich Red Sea is a stunning jungle of colourful fish and aquatic plants. Wrecks make for exciting dive points, but there’s plenty to see with just a mask and snorkel.
The country’s capital is layered in history. When you’re feeling ambitious, battle through the often hectic souks. For a quieter respite, spend an afternoon appreciating the city’s spiritual mosques.
The Pyramids of Giza are the only remaining structures from the original list of World Wonders. And while their silhouette against the desert landscape is a cliche, you will never fully appreciate their size and mystery until you are dwarfed below them.
In our opinion, the best way to appreciate Egypt is from the fertile Nile River. Historically, the river has been the life force of the entire nation and all major cities and ancient civilizations were built on its banks. Besides being the perfect entranceway to the country’s most popular sites, it is also a naturally gorgeous ecosystem that showcases the country at its most photogenic.
More Info
Best Time to Visit: October & February bookend both the country’s winter and ‘high season.’ While the occasional dust storm may delay some flights, the weather is reasonable, and the crowds are bearable.
Electricity: In Egypt, the power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more information, visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/egypt/.
Time Zone: (GMT+2) Eastern European Standard Time
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Other Vaccinations: Based on entry requirements, only travellers coming from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever may be required to show proof of vaccination. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: Most travellers require a visa to enter Egypt. Please visit the Arab Republic of Egypt’s website here for more information on how to obtain a single-entry 30-day visa. As of September, 2023, Canadian passport holders are not eligible for visa on arrival and MUST apply for a visa in advance. This means Canadian travellers will not be able to board their flight to Egypt without securing the visa in advance. Please note that while in the past there have been reports of travellers being barred entry to Egypt for having Israeli stamps in their passport, this is not listed as an official disqualification for entry by the Egyptian government. If you are travelling to Israel before or after this tour, we recommend requesting that immigration does not stamp your passport. Travellers are responsible for their visas and ensuring they meet entry requirements into the country.
Egypt is home to some of the oldest chapters in human history, lending it natural appeal to history buffs and travel lovers. Here’s why we’re so excited about a visit to the land of Pharaohs and pyramids.
Read MoreAmong the pyramids we visit on our upcoming Egypt cruise lies the necropolis Sakkara. Herein awaits the tomb of (likely) Egypt’s first gay governors!
Read MoreFor our first tour of Egypt in nearly a decade, we wanted to find accommodations fit for a pharaoh. Check out the luxe lodgings we settled on here.
Read MoreWell planned out and our local guide Amr was AMAZING! A once in a lifetime experience. The rich history, beautiful architecture, and friendly people made this a trip we’ll always remember.
Incredible cultural destination. Fascinating to see in person, iconic symbols of Egyptian culture. The local tour guide, Aziz was friendly, knowledgeable and passionate.
Once again, Out Adventures provided the highest caliber adventure we could possibly imagine by attending to every detail — from the daily experiences they offer to all the vendors they hire to the accommodations you stay in — to make absolutely sure you have a once in a lifetime experience.
Great adventure, a safe option for LGBTQ+ people, and reasonably priced. The group was unbelievably easy to get along with which made everything interesting and fun. Our guide Aziz and our host Scott really made this trip!
The trip was very well organized. Our host Scott and guide Aziz were awesome, and I really enjoyed the itinerary.
This was one of the best tours I’ve ever done, and I’ve done quite few. Egypt is Amazing! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and experienced, and our host Scott did an incredible job. The planning and logistics were fantastic from beginning to end.
This trip featured unbelievable sites and treasures to be seen. Our guide was great and helped us avoid large crowds along the way.
